United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties set Chili Cook-Off for Oct. 4

ALEXANDRIA — United Way of Douglas and Pope counties 23rd annual Chili Cook-Off will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Broadway Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"We are hoping that as we bring this event back that it continues to grow," said Jen Jabas, executive director of the local United Way. "The funds that we raise through the chili cook-off go right back into our community through Douglas and Pope counties to support the grants we provide to local non-profits and the programs we offer through United Way that support local individuals and families."

This will be the first cook-off since 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the United Way from holding the event in 2020 and 2021 due to health concerns, according to Jabas.

"This year we feel comfortable returning and are excited to bring this really fun event back because it really does welcome the entire community," she said.

The theme for this year's event is children's books. Participants for the event will wear costumes and design their table displays based on their favorite children's stories.

1/9: Bell Bank honored law enforcement with their Blue Line Chili at the United Way Chili Cook-Off in 2017. Michelle Driemeyer (center) and Abby Kleinschmidt serve up chili for Aaron Gullickson.

2/9: Jim Spencer (left) and Harold Peterson of 3M served up their Sweet Wild Cat Chili, which took home the "People's Choice" award in 2017.

3/9: Bell Bank was runnerup in the best display category with their takeoff on "Beauty and the Beast" at the chili cook-off in 2019.

4/9: The team from Village Family Service Center dressed up as characters from the Disney film, "Inside Out" in the annual chili cook-off in 2019.

5/9: BlackRidgeBANK took home the top honors as determined by a vote of those who attended the United Way's annual chili cook-off in 2019 at Broadway Ballroom. They wore costumes from the movie "Toy Story."

6/9: The Mouse Trap chili won the judge's choice in the chili cook-off contest in 2015.

7/9: Creativity in decor and costume was at full tilt in 2015 during the United Way chili cook-off event.

8/9: Ramona Wippler and Darcie Boogaard proudly show off their “out of this world” table for Osakis ECFE at the United Way “Space Age” Chili Feed in 2017. Their galactic creativity won them first place for the best non-profit display.

9/9: The People’s Choice Award went to Aagard’s Cha-Cha Chicken Chili in 2015. Aagard employes Cory Kranz (left) and Josiah Hetland (trust us, he’s in there) served up the winning chicken chili.

Guest judges Todd Stensrud of Massman Automation Designs and Kyle Athey of Geneva Capital, along with members of the United Way board of directors, will decide the Best Display, the Most Unique Chili and the Judges' Choice.

Event-goers will receive a voting slip with their ticket to vote for their favorite chili. Winners of the People's Choice will take home the United Way traveling trophy.

Tickets for the event are $10, which gets you a bowl to try the 25 different chilies and a chance to win a door prize. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event at the Broadway Ballroom — located at 115 30th Ave. East in Alexandria — or at the United Way office at 503 Hawthorne St. in Alexandria. Children 5 and younger attend for free.